H.S. Boys Cross-country: Pascack Valley's Ben Malone ends season

Ben Malone will not run in the Group 3 championship Saturday, putting a premature end to his senior cross-country season.

The Pascack Valley senior, who earlier verbally committed to run for Villanova next year, has been hampered by injuries and illness most of the fall, keeping him out of the Bergen County championships.

He finished fourth in North 1, Group 3 last weekend, but still was not himself.

"The doctor is still running some tests but he thought the thing I need now is rest so I’m shutting it down," said Malone, who hopes to be back to defend his indoor track 800 meters national championship.

Malone was The Record Runner of the Year for cross-country, indoor and outdoor track his junior year.